Gympie and Sunshine Coast women requiring medical care for certain uterine issues will be able to undergo hysteroscopies performed under local anaesthetic.
In a boost to women’s services across the region, Nambour General Hospital, which often takes out patients from Gympie region, is set to open an Outpatient Hysteroscopy Service, which will reduce a women’s hospital stay from up to 14 hours, to just one or two.
A hysteroscopy is a procedure that uses a small camera to look inside the uterus, or womb.
It is used to diagnose or treat problems with the uterus.
The service has been spearheaded by Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior Registrar Dr Adeline Foo, who saw the opportunity to enhance women’s healthcare locally.
Sunshine Coast Health foundation Wishlist, helped to fundraise for the equipment and services as part of their annual giving day, one event of which was hosted on Mary Street in Gympie.
Sunshine Coast Health aims to offer the Outpatient Hysteroscopy Service during the second half of 2024.
“This new service will be a gamechanger for so many women on the Sunshine Coast,” said Minister for Health and Women Shannon Fentiman
“Undergoing a hysteroscopy can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety for many women who need to undergo this procedure.
“This innovative service will significantly minimise the time women have to stay in hospital, reduce recovery time and lower the need for unnecessary surgery.
Sunshine Coast Health Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior Registrar Dr Adeline Foo said, “This service will benefit at least 350 women per year, improving their outpatients’ experience, avoiding risks associated with general anaesthesia and reducing length of hospital stay so they can get back to routine activities.”
